Evaluation of pilot-scale modified A2O processes for the removal of nitrogen compounds from sewage

In this study, pilot-scale experiments for the removal of nitrogen from sewage obtained from a county Y sewer system were performed using modified A₂O processes. Using this approach, the total amount of nitrogen discharged during denitrification of the influent was average 38.6 mg/L and a level of average 10.8 mg/L was maintained throughout the denitrification process, which resulted in an average removal efficiency that was greater than 72%. The nitrogen components in the effluent water consisted of 22% ammonia nitrogen, 6% nitrite nitrogen and 72% nitrate nitrogen, reaching a nitrification efficiency of 94%. In conclusion, since these advanced treatment methods, which involve modified A₂O processes, were successfully employed to remove nitrogen from sewage discharge, they hold promise for wide spread use by treatment plants.     

A candidate for Lr19, an exotic gene conditioning leaf rust resistance in wheat

Lr19, one of the few widely effective genes conferring resistance to leaf rust in wheat, was transferred from the wild relative Thinopyrum ponticum to durum wheat. Since Lr19 confers a hypersensitive response to the pathogen, it was considered likely that the gene would be a member of the major nucleotide-binding site (NBS)-leucine-rich repeat (LRR) plant R gene family. NBS profiling, based on PCR amplification of conserved NBS motifs, was applied to durum wheat–Th. ponticum recombinant lines involving different segments of the alien 7AgL chromosome arm, carrying or lacking Lr19. Differential PCR products were isolated and sequenced. From one such sequence (AG15), tightly linked to Lr19, a 4,121-bp full-length cDNA was obtained. Its deduced 1,258 amino acid sequence has the characteristic NBS-LRR domains of plant R gene products and includes a coiled-coil (CC) region typical of monocots. The genomic DNA sequence showed the presence of two exons and a short intron upstream of the predicted stop codon. Homology searches revealed considerable identity of AG15 with the cloned wheat resistance gene Pm3a and a lower similarity with wheat Lr1, Lr21, and Lr10. Quantitative PCR on leaf-rust-infected and non-infected Lr19 carriers proved AG15 to be constitutively expressed, as is common for R genes. Electronic supplementary material  The online version of this article (doi:) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.     

Identification of vhhP2, a novel genetic marker of Vibrio harveyi, and its application in the quick detection of V. harveyi from animal specimens and environmental samples

Aims:  To investigate the species-specific prevalence of vhhP2 among Vibrio harveyi isolates and the applicability of vhhP2 in the specific detection of V. harveyi from crude samples of animal and environmental origins.
Methods and Results:  A gene ( vhhP2 ) encoding an outer membrane protein of unknown function was identified from a pathogenic V. harveyi isolate. vhhP2 is present in 24  V. harveyi strains isolated from different geographical locations but is absent in 24 strains representing 17 different non- V. harveyi species, including V. parahaemolyticus and V. alginolyticus . A simple polymerase chain reaction method for the identification of V. harveyi was developed based on the conserved sequence of vhhP2 . This method was demonstrated to be applicable to the quick detection of V. harveyi from crude animal specimens and environmental samples. The specificity of this method was tested by applying it to the examination of two strains of V. campbellii , which is most closely related to V. harveyi . One of the V. campbellii strains was falsely identified as V. harveyi .
Conclusions:  vhhP2 is ubiquitously present in the V. harveyi species and is absent in most of the non- V. harveyi species; this feature enables vhhP2 to serve as a genetic marker for the rapid identification of V. harveyi . However, this method can not distinguish some V. campbellii strains from V. harveyi .
Significance and Impact of the Study:  the significance of our study is the identification of a novel gene of V. harveyi and the development of a simple method for the relatively accurate detection of V. harveyi from animal specimens and environmental samples.     

δ13C and δ15N changes after dietary shift in veliger larvae of the slipper limpet Crepidula fornicata: an experimental evidence

δ¹³C and δ¹⁵N measurements are still poorly conducted in benthic invertebrate larvae. To assess the δ¹³C and δ¹⁵N changes occurring after a dietary shift, experiments were conducted on veliger larvae of Crepidula fornicata fed with two cultured microalgae (Isochrysis galbana and Pavlova lutheri) of known isotopic composition, ¹³C-enriched and ¹⁵N-depleted compared to the initial values of the larvae. Rapid changes in larval δ¹³C and δ¹⁵N were observed after the dietary shift, with an increase in δ¹³C and a decrease in δ¹⁵N. After 19 days of feeding, isotopic equilibrium was still not reached, a period which is close to the duration of the pelagic life of the larvae. This implies that the isotopic composition measured in field-collected larvae might only partly reflect actual larval feeding but also the parental isotopic signature, especially during the early developmental stages. Isotopic measurements in marine invertebrate larvae should thus be interpreted cautiously. In planktonic food web investigations, the study of field-collected larvae of different size/developmental stage may reduce potential misinterpretations.     

The role of below-ground competition during early stages of secondary succession: the case of 3-year-old Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) seedlings in an abandoned grassland

In abandoned or extensively managed grasslands, the mechanisms involved in pioneer tree species success are not fully explained. Resource competition among plants and microclimate modifications have been emphasised as possible mechanisms to explain variation of survivorship and growth. In this study, we evaluated a number of mechanisms that may lead to successful survival and growth of seedlings of a pioneer tree species (Pinus sylvestris) in a grass-dominated grassland. Three-year-old Scots pines were planted in an extensively managed grassland of the French Massif Central and for 2 years were either maintained in bare soil or subjected to aerial and below-ground interactions induced by grass vegetation. Soil temperatures were slightly higher in bare soil than under the grass vegetation, but not to an extent explaining pine growth differences. The tall grass canopy reduced light transmission by 77% at ground level and by 20% in the upper part of Scots pine seedlings. Grass vegetation presence also significantly decreased soil volumetric water content (Hv) and soil nitrate in spring and in summer. In these conditions, the average tree height was reduced by 5% compared to trees grown in bare soil, and plant biomass was reduced by 85%. Scots pine intrinsic water-use efficiency (A/g), measured by leaf gas-exchange, increased when Hv decreased owing to a rapid decline of stomatal conductance (g). This result was also confirmed by δ ¹³C analyses of needles. A summer ¹⁵N labelling of seedlings and grass vegetation confirmed the higher NO₃ capture capacity of grass vegetation in comparison with Scots pine seedlings. Our results provide evidence that the seedlings' success was linked to tolerance of below-ground resource depletion (particularly water) induced by grass vegetation based on morphological and physiological plasticity as well as to resource conservation.     

Proline metabolism in response to nitrogen deficiency in French Bean plants (Phaseolus vulgaris L. cv Strike)

The objective of the present work was to determine the impact ofnitrogen deficiency on proline metabolism in French Bean plants(Phaseolus vulgaris L. cv. Strike). The nitrogen wasapplied to the nutrient solution in the form of NH₄NO₃ at1.45 mM (N1), 2.90mM (N2) and 5.80mM (N3, optimal level). Our results indicateNdeficiency is characterised by a decline in proline accumulation both in theroot and leaves, fundamentally because proline degradation is encouraged by thestimulation of the enzyme proline dehydrogenase. By contrast, under conditionsof adequate N (N3), proline levels rise due to the action of ornithine,suggesting predominance of the ornithine pathway over the glutamine pathway, inaddition to the inhibition of proline dehydrogenase activity.     

Allocation of extracellular enzymatic activity in relation to litter composition, N deposition, and mass loss

Decomposition of plant material is a complex process that requiresinteraction among a diversity of microorganisms whose presence and activity issubject to regulation by a wide range of environmental factors. Analysis ofextracellular enzyme activity (EEA) provides a way to relate the functionalorganization of microdecomposer communities to environmental variables. In thisstudy, we examined EEA in relation to litter composition and nitrogendeposition. Mesh bags containing senescent leaves of Quercusborealis (red oak), Acer rubrum (red maple) andCornus florida (flowering dogwood) were placed on forestfloor plots in southeastern New York. One-third of the plots were sprayedmonthly with distilled water. The other plots were sprayed monthly withNH₄NO₃ solution at dose rates equivalent to 2 or 8 g N m^–2 y^–1. Mass loss, litter composition, fungal mass, and the activities ofeight enzymes were measured on 13 dates for each litter type. Dogwood wasfollowed for one year, maple for two, oak for three. For each litter type andtreatment, enzymatic turnover activities were calculated from regressions of LN(%mass remaining) vs. cumulative activity. The decomposition of dogwood litterwas more efficient than that of maple and oak. Maple litter had the lowestfungal mass and required the most enzymatic work to decompose, even though itsmass loss rate was twice that of oak. Across litter types, N amendment reducedapparent enzymatic efficiencies and shifted EEA away from N acquisition andtoward P acquisition, and away from polyphenol oxidation and towardpolysaccharide hydrolysis. The effect of these shifts on decomposition ratevaried with litter composition: dogwood was stimulated, oak was inhibited andmaple showed mixed effects. The results show that relatively small shifts intheactivity of one or two critical enzymes can significantly alter decompositionrates.     

短期内15N标记的铵盐和硝酸盐在青藏高原高寒草甸中的运移规律

运用15N稳定性同位素示踪技术,对高寒草甸植物和土壤微生物固持沉降氮的能力及沉降氮在小嵩草(Kobresia pygaea)草甸中的运移规律进行了研究.施肥2周后,NO-3-15N和NH+4-15N的总恢复率分别为73.5%和78%.无论是NO-3-15N,还是NH+4-15N,植物所固持的15N总是比土壤有机质或者是土壤微生物固持的多.4周后,70.6%的NO-3-15N和57.4%的NH+4-15N被固持在土壤和植物中.其中,土壤有机质所固持的15N均下降了很多,而植物所固持的15N却变化很小.同前面的结果相比,较多的NO-3-15N为土壤微生物所固持.在施肥6周和8周后,NO-3-15N的总恢复率分别为58.4%和67%,而NH+4-15N的总恢复率分别为43.1%和49%.植物和土壤微生物所固持的NO-3-15N比NH+4-15N多.在整个实验期间,植物固持的NO-3N较多,而且比土壤微生物固持了较多的15N.由于无机氮的含量一直很低,无机氮库所固持的15N一般不超过1%.上述结果意味着短期内植物在高寒草甸中对沉降氮的去向起着决定作用.     

Temporal and spatial trends in nitrogen and phosphorus inputs to the watershed of the Altamaha River,Georgia, USA

The watershed of the Altamaha River, Georgia, is one of the largest in the southeastern U.S., draining 36,718 km² (including parts of metro Atlanta). We calculated both nitrogen (fertilizer, net food and feed import, atmospheric deposition, and biological N fixation in agricultural and forest lands) and phosphorus (fertilizer and net food and feed import) inputs to the watershed for 6 time points between 1954 and 2002. Total nitrogen inputs rose from 1,952 kg N km⁻² yr⁻¹ in 1954 to a peak of 3,593 kg N km⁻² yr⁻¹ in 1982 and then declined to 2,582 kg N km⁻² yr⁻¹ by 2002. Phosphorus inputs rose from 409 kg P km⁻² yr⁻¹ in 1954 to 532 kg P km⁻² yr⁻¹ in 1974 before declining to 412 kg P km⁻² yr⁻¹ in 2002. Fertilizer tended to be the most important input of both N and P to the watershed, although net food and feed import increased in importance over time and was the dominant source of N input by 2002. When considered on an individual basis, fertilizer input tended to be highest in the middle portions of the watershed (Little and Lower Ocmulgee and Lower Oconee sub-watersheds) whereas net food and feed imports were highest in the upper reaches (Upper Oconee and Upper Ocmulgee sub-watersheds). Although the overall trend in recent years has been towards decreases in both N and P inputs, these trends may be offset due to continuing increases in animal and human populations.     

Growth requirement for N as a criterion to assess the effects of physical manipulation on nitrate uptake fluxes in spinach

The effects of physical manipulation of hydroponically grown plants of spinach (Spinacia oleracea L., cvs Subito and Glares) on nitrate uptake fluxes were studied in a long-term experiment (3 days), and in short-term label experiments (2 h) with ¹³N-nitrate and ¹⁵N-nitrate. In the long-term experiment, net nitrate uptake rate (NNUR) was measured by following the nitrate depletion in the uptake solution, which was replaced at regular intervals. In the short-term experiments, NNUR and nitrate influx were measured by simultaneous application of ¹³N-nitrate and ¹⁵N-nitrate. Plants were gently transferred into the labelled uptake solution, as is usually done in nutrient uptake studies. In addition, a more severe physical manipulation was carried out, including blotting of the roots, to mimic pretreatments which involve more handling of the plants prior to uptake measurements. Nitrate influx was measured immediately after physical manipulation and after 2 h of recovery. To assess the impact of the physical manipulation the experimentally determined nitrate uptake fluxes were compared with the N demand for growth, defined as relative growth rate (RGR) times plant nitrogen concentration (PNC) of parallel plants, which were left undisturbed. Nitrate influx and efflux were both subject to changes after physical manipulation of the plants. Physical handling, however, did not always result in an alteration of NNUR, which complicates the determination of the length of the recovery period. The impact of the handling and the time course of the recovery depended on the severity of the disturbance and were independent of the light conditions during the experiments. Even after a gentle transfer of the plants, recovery, in most cases, was not complete within 2 h. The data emphasise the need for minimal disturbance of plants during the last hours prior to nutrient uptake measurements.